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1.1) There are many different types of legislation out there that talk about safeguarding vulnerable adults. Before 2000 there was no legislation that gave responsibility for statutory services, such as Social Services to investigate forms of abuse, but there were different types of legislation that supported the protection of vulnerable adults to tell someone in local authority. The crime and disorder Act (1998) was the first support for the protection of vulnerable adults and is the basis for the formation of partnerships between the Local Authorities and the police. The human rights act (1998) tells you about the rights and freedom of individuals and the disability act (1995) tells you about the protection for adults with disabilities. All these legislations played a part in the protection of vulnerable adults.

In 2000 the Uk government looked into the agenda of the protection of vulnerable adults and gave out guidance to all local authorities this is called NO SECRETS which gives guidance in development and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. This has laid out the responsibilities for local authorities to develop and organise a policy to protect vulnerable adults through multi-agency approach, this is similar to the child protection agenda. This guidance also give local authorities to be able to set up local multi-agency teams and this also helped to set up the correct reporting procedures for anyone who has any cause of concern which they feel need to be reported. The guidance has also helped set up for the local teams to ensure that service providers have the relevant protection of vulnerable adults policies and procedures in place and that they can ensure that all staff members that work with the vulnerable adults are trained to identify any signs/symptoms of abuse.

At the same time in 2000 the care standards act (2000) as implemented this sets out the standards that the social care services have to abide by. It has made the protection of vulnerable adults a priority it also states in section 7 that the provision of protecting vulnerable adults have to be made. The protection of vulnerable adults (POVA) scheme was set upon 2004. Its intention is to not allow anyone to work within the care sector with vulnerable adults if they have neglected, harmed or abused a vulnerable person.

Another bit of this act which is also about the protection of vulnerable adults is the deprivation of liberties safeguard (DoLs). This aims to make sure that people in care homes, hospitals and supported living can be looked after in a way that does not restrict their freedom. The safeguards of this ensure the care homes, hospitals supported living arrangements only deprives someone of their liberty in a safe and correct way, this is only done when it is in the best interest of the person and it is deemed there is no other way to look after them. In 2014 a court decision was made and provided a clear definition of what `deprivation of liberty’ means. It occurs when `the person is living under supervision and control and is not free to leave, due to the person lacing capacity to consent to such arrangements being made’. An application for DoLs is deemed necessary for all residential care homes as most residents lack capacity due to suffering some form of dementia or learning disability and cat identify risks if left unattended.

There is also another major bit of framework in regards to the protection of vulnerable adults and it is the introduction of the criminal record bureau checks which is now known as the disclosure and barring service. POVA teams needed a list of health and social care employees who had history of abusing vulnerable adults. The checks help employers in health and social care service providers to be able to see any potential employees are suitable for employment in their establishments. If an employer is unable to wait for a CRB check to come back then they can use the ISA adult first check that gives them access to a list that gives them information on if a potential employee is unable to work with vulnerable adults.